Digital Services
Have news alerts sent to your mobile device or email, read the e-Edition, sign up for daily newsletters, activate your all access, enter contests, take quizzes, download our mobile apps and see the latest e-circulars.

Contact Us
See department contacts, frequently asked questions, request customer service support, submit a photo or place an ad.

Edward R. Telatovich Sr.

Article Tools

Edward R. Telatovich Sr. of Hazleton Heights passed away peacefully Wednesday morning in his home just three days before his 88th birthday.

He was born in Hazleton, the son of Polish immigrants, the late Louis and Justina (Sienkiewicz) Telatovich, who first settled in Shenandoah.

Called "Telly" by his friends, Edward graduated from Hazleton High School in 1943. Immediately after graduation he enlisted and served three years in the South Pacific in the Navy in World War II. He spoke often about his experiences as a medical assistant on a Naval vessel in the Philippines and Japanese waters.

Following his discharge from the Navy, he returned to the Hazleton area and enrolled in the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. Early in his career he was stationed at the barracks in Washington, Pa., where he met his future wife, Lola Mae Caldwell, at the local YMCA where she worked. Following their marriage in 1956, the couple returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania, where they remained permanently.

Throughout his career, Edward was stationed at a number of area barracks in Mahanoy City, Frackville, Reading, Lehighton and finally Hazleton. He retired proudly and honorably from the state police after 35 years of service.

He is survived by his wife, Lola; daughter, Marie; three sons, Edward, Michael and Bernard and their wives; as well as his six grandchildren, Edward III, Adam, Angelina, McKenzie, Emma and Paige. Born the eighth of nine children, he has one surviving sister, Helen Gaidish.

Edward sincerely believed that Hazleton was "God's Country" and he proudly said that to anybody who ventured to suggest otherwise. A football player while at Hazleton High School, he faithfully followed the exploits of the local team through the years. He always enjoyed hearing about the sporting adventures of his children and grandchildren.

Never a man for many words, until the very end, he greeted friends and family with a warm smile and nod of his head.

The funeral will be held Monday at 9 a.m. from Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc., 542 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church, Hazleton.

We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.

Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.